Gone With a Handsomer Man

Isn't that a great book title?! I just love it! And it gives a hint of the quirky story of Teeny Templeton......

Don't forget my contest to win this fabulous book, autographed by Michael Lee West, herself!

See all the infomation HERE. 

** Contest closes at Midnight, CDT, on Saturday, May 7th. You've still got lots of time!

And please pass it along to your family and friends!  (I just finished reading it April 26th and I loved it!)



All I ever wanted in life was true love, a set of copper cookware, and the perfect recipe for red velvet cake. The last thing I wanted was to end up on Charleston’s six o’clock news, accused of murder and a slew of other crimes. --  First two sentences in the book (used with permission from Michael Lee West)

* Tornadoes in St. Louis Area *

Just wanted to let everyone know that where I live is damage free. The St. Louis airport has quite a bit of significant damage and is closed right now. From what I've heard, there were about 5 or 6 tornadoes in the entire St. Charles-St. Louis Counties. Very unusual for us!

I hope all my blog friends are safe and damage free, where ever you are!

“When you're safe at home you wish you were having an adventure; when you're having an adventure you wish you were safe at home” -- Thornton Wilder

* Saturday Writers Web Site *

As some of you know, I took on the position of president of Saturday Writers for 2011. Although it's been quite a bit of work and time consuming, I've loved every minute of it. We have a great group of approximately 100 members, and  fabulous board members.

Our web site has been under construction for a few weeks and I'm happy to say, it's close to being finished.

The additonal info for Members and Contact pages will follow in the next couple of days.

(image courtesy google)



Our wonderful Webmaster Guru has been living on about 2 hours of sleep every night (well, maybe a few more!) for weeks/months, and is doing this pro bono. When it's finished, it will be awesome.

Click on the link here, or above, to see what's finished at this point.

We've also been posting current Saturday Writers news on our blog, too: www.saturdaywriters.blogspot.com.

I'm very proud to be part of this group. We really do support each other, encourage each other, and have a good time, too.

Anyone and everyone is welcome. No experience required!!

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection” -- Anais Nin

* Fabulous Give-Away! *

See that book cover on the left side bar? "Gone With a Handsomer Man" is the newest book by the lovely Michael Lee West. In honor of its brand new release, I'll be giving away one hardcover copy, autographed by Ms. West!

As you will see, if you visit her blog, Michael Lee is not only the fabulous author of seven books, she is an extraordinary designer, cook, photographer and a beautiful Southern Lady! She's also been extremely kind to me, encouraging me in my writing. How amazing is that?!

Since this is such a special give away, I'm making it more difficult than usual. ☺
To be eligible, you must do 1 through 4 below:

1) Be a follower of my blog
2) Be a follower of Michael's blog
3) Leave a comment, stating why you'd like to win this autographed book
4) Post a little something on your blog about the contest

In addition to these four things, if you post something on your Facebook or Twitter, let me know and I'll add your name twice.

This Contest Give-Away will be open from tonight through Saturday, May 7th. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be announced on Sunday, May 8th.  (This is open to all parts of the globe, not just the US!)

Please join in, tell your friends and blog buddies, too. Let's show Michael Lee West what great fans she has!
And if you haven't already read any of her books, this would be a fantastic one to begin with.

"An apple is an excellent thing -- until you have tried a peach." -- George du Maurier (1834-1896)

* I'm Not a Poet....and Don't I Know it *

April is poetry month: I'd like to share some of my poetry (?) talents.



Let me first say, I do not write poetry. I know I am not any good at it. So, whenever I have to write any, I always write silly stuff, in an attempt to be humorous.This particular one was written quickly, in an exercise where everyone had to write down one word, then write a sentence with it, and then pass it to the person on their left. The next word had to be included in the next sentence, etc. (those words are underlined)


Ron and I drove by the town dump.
It seemed as if our lives were at stake.
The money was mistakenly put in a can.
We needed a magical seer to locate it
among the piles of trash.
As I climbed out of the car,
walking toward a bright red light,
my neck tattoo shone in the dark.
It sure didn't smell like a garden out here.

There you are. Poetry: Povich-Style!

* Can You Hear Me Screaming? *

Can you hear me screaming all across the continent and all the way around the world?????

We've been on pins & needles for months, waiting to see if our youngest son, Mark, would be offered admission at Washington University, in St. Louis, as a Ph.D student in their PNP (Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology) Program. He just received the offer.....and he has accepted!!!!!!!!!!!  Alleluia!!!!

It's a 6-Year Program. He wants to become a teacher....a college professor.

This is the university he just graduated from with his bachelor's degree in philosophy. We're glad he'll still be close to home! ☺

Can you hear this proud mom??!!  Can you hear my huge sigh of relief??  Can you hear my happiness??

I can't even think of anything else to say at the moment!!

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined." -- Henry David Thoreau

* You Like Me....You REALLY Like Me *

Today I received a blog award from the fantastic OJ at Casta Zero! Which reminded me that I also received one from delightful Julie almost a month ago! Thanks to both of you. Receiving these awards really does mean a lot to me, and I apologize to Julie for being so late in getting hers posted.



Julie awarded me this lovely "The incredibly sweet blog award."

There were some rules attached about listing things about myself that y'all don't know, but I'm skipping that part! With all the information I've posted the past couple of years, I don't think there's much left to tell!

Thank you, again, Julie! I found this doubly "sweet" because we've only known each other a brief amount of time.

OJ awarded me this really cool "Sisters of the Quill" blog award.

This particular blog award is for "deserving writers, to women whose talent needs to be recognized." Isn't that fantastic? And what makes it even better is that it was originated and designed by friend and blogger, Donna at Donna's Book Pub! Thanks again, OJ! You're a really sweet sister of the quill, yourself!

"Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck saying, "Make me feel important". Never forget this message when working with people." -- Mary Kay Ash

* More about the MWG Missouri Writers Guild Conference *

After posting last night about the conference, I realized I still had more to say about it!

I attended a workshop given by Catherine Rankovic. (Learn all about her on her website: Book Eval. I could never do her justice by posting just a few sentences.)

I have to admit that I was truly terrifed to sit in on her session and it just proves how wrong we can be about someone. I made the assumption that since Catherine taught creative writing at Washington University in St. Louis, she would be extremely critical of anything I might say or write, or question I might ask. Boy, was I ever wrong! For one thing....none of us were required to write anything....AND she was the exact opposite of what I expected. What a lovely, soft spoken, funny, and of course, very intelligent woman! I had the pleasure of meeting Catherine after her presentation, and I also sat next to her at lunch. Fabulous woman! I would LOVE to take her evening writing course at Wash U, but I think I'll have to wait two more years when my tuition would be Half Price...due to reaching a certain age. (Getting older does have its benefits!)

I also briefly met Regina Williams, Editor of The Storyteller magazine.
I also met Wendy Drew, owner of Rose's Bookhouse, in O'fallon, Missouri.
And, I had the pleasure of meeting Cindy Lovell, Executive Director/Education Coordinator of the Mark Twain Museum in Hannibal, Missouri. Please check all these fabulous women's websites. They are all have remarkable stories to tell.

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." -- Mark Twain


"Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader—not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon." -- E.L. Doctorow